Early Childhood

Early Childhood (EC) Program

Early Childhood

Ages 3 – 6 years
Monday through Thursday or Monday through Friday
8:30 or 8:45am – 11:30 or 11:45am, depending upon class assignment

We do not offer day care or preschool. Teachers hold Montessori credentials for the level they teach. All hold bachelor’s degrees and many hold masters or doctorate degrees. Our faculty are experts at education.

We require students to attend the full three years of the early childhood program in order to complete the process, polish their skills and retain a well-rounded mastery of social, emotional and academic skills. This learning program allows the child to focus upon ordering their environment and to become familiar with academic concepts through concrete manipulation of the finely crafted didactic materials. This daily experience results in a love of learning which prepares the child for a lifetime of education. The typical Early Childhood graduate is fully prepared to move onto our Elementary program or 1st grade in a traditional school.

EC + Elementary Prep Program

Early Childhood Plus Elementary Prep

Ages 3 – 6 years
Monday through Thursday or Monday through Friday
8:45 or 8:30am – 2:30 or 2:45pm, depending on class assignment

We offer this afternoon program to children who are no longer napping and ready socially and emotionally for a longer day and the challenges of a full day in school. Elementary Prep students participate in a typical morning Early Childhood class. Emphasis is placed on lunch etiquette, practical life, care of self, environment and independence. These students will set places, may prepare a dish to share at lunch time, will clear off places, wash dishes and clean up dining spaces before going outside. Following lunch students spend about an hour outside in unstructured activities with peers allowing for guided social development. Students return to class ready for an afternoon work period including language, penmanship and math, each at their own pace.

What is Elementary Prep?

Students may enjoy lessons in any of a broad range of topics such as expanding the morning lesson on the Amazon rainforest to researching the poisonous frogs of the rainforest. Teachers present the lesson toward the mid-level of the class then offer follow-up activities at each student’s own level. A 3-year-old might complete a frog puzzle, a 4-year-old might trace and color pictures of a variety of frogs, while the 5- and 6-year-olds could research frog species, write a short report on their findings and draw a picture to go with it. This part of the day is for children to practice their academic skills in preparation for our elementary class. Typically, with consistent attendance, Elementary Prep students emerge with a 1st or 2nd grade level understanding of the academic subjects, ready for our Wasatch Elementary Class or 1st grade in another school.